Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie pounced on the competition at the box office this weekend, opening in first place with an estimated $23 million.
The computer-animated sequel debuted in 3,989 locations across the U.S. and Canada, ringing up a per theater average of $5,766, Comscore reported. Overseas the comedy earned $23.1 million, for a worldwide opening weekend of $46.1 million.
The family film tells the story of a magical meteor that crash lands in Adventure City, and gives the Paw Patrol pups superpowers.
Directed by Cal Brunker, the film features an all-star voice cast that includes Kristen Bell, Taraji P. Henson, James Marsden, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Kim Kardashian, Ron Pardo, Mckenna Grace, Chris Rock, Lil Rel Howery, and Serena Williams.
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The Paramount Pictures release received an impressive “A” CinemaScore, with audiences liking what they saw.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie cost a reported $30 million to produce, and follows the 2021 film Paw Patrol: The Movie. According to published reports on Sunday, a third film is already in the works with a planned 2026 release.
In second place, Saw X slashed its way to an $18 million debut. The R-rated horror sequel grossed an estimated $11.3 million abroad this weekend, for a global haul of $29.3 million, Comscore figures show.
Saw X had a reported production budget of $13 million, and will easily turn a profit.
The Lionsgate film follows the return of franchise star Tobin Bell as John “Jigsaw” Kramer, with the events in the movie set between Saw (2004) and Saw II (2005).
After battling cancer, Kramer died at the end of Saw III (2006). But his deadly games continued with his apprentices picking up where he left off.
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Saw X follows a sick and desperate John Kramer heading to a hospital outside Mexico City for an experimental procedure in hopes of a miracle cure. The doctor there tells him the program has had “stunning results.” But John later learns the program is a huge scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Now he’s out for blood, with a new arsenal of deadly games and traps.
In addition to Tobin Bell, the tenth installment of the franchise stars Synnøve Macody Lund, Steven Brand, Michael Beach, and Renata Vaca. Fan favorite Shawnee Smith returns as Amanda Young.
Audiences gave the movie a “B” CinemaScore.
Prior to Saw X, the Chris Rock-starring Spiral debuted in May 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). With many theaters across the country shuttered, the film went on to make $40.6 million. The installment before that, Jigsaw opened in October 2017, and grossed $104 million globally.
To date the Saw franchise has earned more than $1 billion at the global box office and is one of the longest-running horror franchises in history.
Elsewhere at the weekend box office, science fiction film The Creator debuted in third place with an unimpressive $14 million Friday through Sunday. Overseas it made $18.3 million, for a global total of $32.3 million this weekend.
Centering on a future war between humans and artificial intelligence, the movie stars John David Washington alongside Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, and Allison Janney. The film was directed by Gareth Edwards from a screenplay by Edwards and Chris Weitz.
The film earned a “B+” CinemaScore from audiences.
With a production budget of $80 million, plus additional marking costs, the 20th Century Studios/Disney release’s $32.3 million global debut fell below expectations.
The Nun II came in fourth place with $4.6 million in its fourth weekend of release.
Newly released faith-based biopic The Blind rounded out the top five with $4.1 million from 1,715 locations.
